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Redbuds (Cercis spp.) are exceptionally attractive, spring-blooming trees. A fast-growing plant, redbuds have hundreds of small, bright purple flowers in the early spring, before their leaves appear. The result is an abundance of color that totally covers all the tree's branches. Both the eastern (C. canadensis) and the western (C. occidentalis) redbud can grow in two basic shapes, either as a more shrub-like clump or in a typical tree form.

Clump Redbud

Eastern and western redbuds are generally native to the eastern portion or the western and southwestern parts of the United States, respectively. Both types naturally grow as multi-stemmed clumps, with a shrub-like growth habit if left unpruned. Commonly referred to as clump redbud, these plants can reach a height of 10 or 15 feet at maturity, with an equivalent spread. They usually develop an irregular silhouette at the crown, with moderate branch density. In the spring, a redbud grown as a clump is essentially covered in purple blossoms, with few if any bare branches visible.

Tree Redbud

Redbuds also grow into attractive, graceful trees if pruned correctly as young saplings. Since they are spring bloomers that produce flowers on the previous season's growth, redbuds should be pruned and shaped immediately after flowering to ensure flowers the following year. For a multi-trunked tree with a vase-like shape, remove all but three or four main stems from a young tree, allowing these to become trunks as the tree grows. If you remove all but one stem, the tree will develop into a single-trunked specimen. However, since redbuds tend to branch aggressively, you should remove new, low-placed branches as they appear to retain a single trunk.

Other Features

Redbuds have similar leaves and other features, whether grown as a clump or in a tree form. They have quite large, bluish-green, heart-shaped leaves. In the fall, their leaves turn several shades of yellow, and long, flattened, maroon-colored seed pods appear. Redbuds are generally frost tolerant and suitable for culture in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 for the eastern canadensis species and 6 through 9 for the western occidentalis species.

Culture

Tree-form and clump redbuds have generally the same cultural requirements. They do well in full sun or partial shade and prefer loamy soil, although they can tolerate clay or sand if it is well-drained. Wet locations should be avoided since excess moisture promotes fungal diseases. Redbuds are generally easy-to-grow, tolerating drought well and requiring little fertilizing or other special care once established in the landscape. Their branches have thin bark, however, and any branches that cross or rub against each other should be pruned back, since bark injury can promote entry of insect pests or diseases.

About the Author

Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.